AIB completes disposal of the M&T shareholding

AIB completes disposal of the M&T shareholding

DUBLIN, Ireland (4 November 2010) - Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. ("AIB") [NYSE:AIB] has completed the disposal of 26,700,000 shares of common stock of M&T Bank Corporation ("M&T") currently held by it ("M&T Shares"). Following receipt of shareholder approval at AIB's Extraordinary General Meeting on 1 November 2010, the 26,700,000 contingent mandatorily exchangeable notes ("Notes") which AIB sold at US$77.50 per Note have been mandatorily exchanged for the M&T Shares and the net proceeds of the Notes offering have been released to AIB.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. acted as underwriters and joint bookrunning managers for the Notes offering.

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The contents of this announcement should not be construed as legal, business, financial, tax, investment or other professional advice.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Limited and AIB Corporate Finance Limited ("AIB Corporate Finance") acted as joint financial advisers to AIB in relation to AIB's disposal of its M&T shares. In addition, Morgan Stanley & Co. Limited and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc acted as sponsor and corporate broker, respectively, in connection with the disposal.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Limited and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (together, "Morgan Stanley") acted in the aforementioned capacities for AIB and no one else in connection with the disposal and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this announcement) as Morgan Stanley's client in relation to the disposal and will not be responsible to anyone other than AIB for providing the protections afforded to clients of Morgan Stanley or for providing advice in relation to the disposal or any other matter referred to in this announcement.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. acted exclusively for AIB and no one else in connection with the disposal and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this announcement) as its client in relation to the disposal and will not be responsible to anyone other than AIB for providing the protections afforded to clients of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or for providing advice in relation to the disposal or any other matter referred to in this announcement.

AIB Corporate Finance acted exclusively for AIB and no one else in connection with the disposal and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this announcement) as its client in relation to the disposal and will not be responsible to anyone other than AIB for providing the protections afforded to clients of AIB Corporate Finance or for providing advice in relation to the disposal or any other matter referred to in this announcement.

Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Morgan Stanley or AIB Corporate Finance by the Listing Rules, neither Morgan Stanley nor AIB Corporate Finance accepts any responsibility whatsoever and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, for the contents of this announcement, including its accuracy, completeness or verification or for any other statement made or purported to be made by AIB, or on AIB's behalf, or by Morgan Stanley or AIB Corporate Finance, or on Morgan Stanley's or AIB Corporate Finance's behalf, in connection with AIB, the M&T shareholding, M&T or the disposal, and nothing in this announcement is or shall be relied upon as a promise or representation in this respect, whether as to the past or future. Each of Morgan Stanley and AIB Corporate Finance accordingly disclaims to the fullest extent permitted by law and under the Listing Rules all and any responsibility and liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which it might otherwise have in respect of this document and any such statement.

None of the Minister for Finance, the Department of Finance, the Irish Government, the National Treasury Management Agency, the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission or any person controlled by or controlling any such person, or any entity or agency of or related to the Irish State, or any director, officer, official, employee or adviser of any such person (each such person, a "Relevant Person") accepts any responsibility whatsoever or makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, for the contents of this announcement, including its accuracy, completeness or verification or for any other statement made or purported to be made by AIB, or on AIB's behalf, or by Morgan Stanley or AIB Corporate Finance, or on Morgan Stanley's or AIB Corporate Finance's behalf, or by any Relevant Person or on any Relevant Person's behalf in connection with AIB, the M&T shareholding, M&T or the disposal, and nothing in this announcement is or shall be relied upon as a promise or representation in this respect, whether as to the past or future. Each Relevant Person accordingly disclaims to the fullest extent permitted by law and under the Listing Rules all and any responsibility and liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which it might otherwise have in respect of this document and any such statement.